Document handling machine having remote adjustment mechanism

Abstract

A document handling machine is provided with various embodiments of means for remotely adjusting the position of a feeding means (44) associated with a hopper (20). The machine is also provided with means for remotely adjusting the position of a plate (32) within the hopper (20).

The embodiments of the invention in which exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. Apparatus for adjusting a feeding means associated with a hopper of a document handling machine, said feeding means comprising a sucker cup mounted on a rotatable threaded stem; said sucker cup communicating through a channel in said threaded stem to a vacuum line, said apparatus comprising: adjusting means for adjusting said feeding means with respect to an axis thereof, said means for adjusting said feeding means further comprising: connector means;   first gear means attached to said connector means; and,   second gear means adapted to cooperate with said first gear means, said second gear means further being adapted to rotate and to convert said rotary motion into translation of said feeding means along said axis, said second gear means having a central, counter-threaded bore adapted to receive said threaded stem, whereby said stem translates along said axis as said second gear rotates;     elongated flexible cable means having one end thereof attached to said connector means of said adjusting means and the other end thereof affixed to a remote location on said document feeding machine; and,   means at the remote end of said elongated flexible cable means for selectively moving said elongated flexible cable means by an amount corresponding to the desired motion of said adjusting means with respect to said axis thereof, whereby said feeding means can be adjusted from said remote location.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus for adjusting a feeding means associated with a hopper of a document handling machine, said apparatus comprising: adjusting means for adjusting said feeding means with respect to an axis thereof, said adjusting means comprising: connector means;   rotatable shaft means having a first end affixed to said connector means and adapted to rotate with said connector means, said rotatable shaft having a threaded region along at least an intermediate portion thereof and a second end with an enlarged head;   mounting means ultimately connected to said document handling machine, said mounting means being counter-threaded and adapted to receive said threaded region of said rotatable shaft means;   shaft engagement means rotatably mounted to said mounting means, said shaft engagement means contacting said intermediate portion of said shaft means near said enlarged head thereof, said shaft engagement means being ultimately connected to said feeding means; and,   biasing means connected intermediate said shaft engagement means and a portion of said mounting means, whereby as said shaft means rotates said biasing means causes said shaft engagement means to rotate about said axis;     elongated flexible cable means having one end thereof attached to said connector means of said adjusting means and the other end thereof affixed to a remote location on said document feeding machine; and;   means at the remote end of said elongated flexible cable means for selectively moving said elongated flexible cable means by an amount corresponding to the desired motion of said adjusting means with respect to said axis thereof, whereby said feeding means can be adjusted from said remote location.   
     
     
       3. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein said biasing means includes a spring. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus for adjusting a feeding means associated with a hopper of a document handling machine, said apparatus comprising: adjusting means for adjusting said feeding means with respect to an axis thereof, said adjusting means comprising: connector means;   rotatable shaft means engaged by said connector means;   first housing means mounted to said document handling machine and having said rotatable shaft means extending therein;   second housing means connected to said first housing means, said second housing means having said feeding means ultimately connected thereto; and,   means for causing said second housing means to translate with respect to said axis and said first housing means as said rotatable shaft rotates;     elongated flexible cable means having one end thereof attached to said connector means of said adjusting means and the other end thereof affixed to a remote location on said document feeding machine; and,   means at the remote end of said elongated flexible cable means for selectively moving said elongated flexible cable means by an amount corresponding to the desired motion of said adjusting means with respect to said axis thereof, whereby said feeding means can be adjusted from said remote location.   
     
     
       5. Apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting said feeding means further comprises: first gearing means connected to said rotatable shaft means and adapted for rotational motion, at least a portion of said first gearing means being housed in said first housing means;   second gearing means adapted to cooperate with said first gearing means, said second gearing means adapted for rotational motion in a plane essentially perpendicular to a plane wherein said first gearing means rotates;   second rotating shaft means, said second rotating shaft means having said second gearing means affixed to an intermediate portion thereof, said second rotating shaft means also being threaded at each end thereof, each end of said second rotating shaft means being received in a counter-threaded bore in said second housing, so that as said second gearing means rotates, said second housing translates with respect to said axis.   
     
     
       6. Apparatus for adjusting a feeding means associated with a hopper of a document handling machine comprising: first means for adjusting said feeding means along a first axis;   second means for adjusting said feeding means along a second axis;   third means for adjusting said feeding means for rotation about a third axis;   connecting means for connecting each of said means for adjusting said feeding means to a location remote from said feeding means; and,   means at said remote location for selectively moving said connecting means to cause selective adjustments of each of said means for adjusting said feeding means.   
     
     
       7. Apparatus of claim 6 wherein said connecting means comprise elongated flexible cables associated with each of said first, second, and third adjusting means. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means at the remote end of each of said elongated flexible cables is operative to rotate the respective elongated flexible cable; and, wherein said first and second adjusting means include means to convert the rotary motion of said elongated flexible cable into translation of said feeding means along said first and second axes; and, wherein, said third adjusting means includes means to convert the rotary motion of the associated elongated flexible cable into rotation of said feeding means about said third axis. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first means for adjusting said feeding means further comprises: first connector means, said connector means having one end of said flexible cable attached thereto;   first gear means attached to said connector means;   second gear means adapted to cooperate with said first gear means of said second gear means further being adapted to rotate and to convert said rotary motion into translation of said feeding means along said first axis.   
     
     
       10. Apparatus of claim 9, wherein said feeding means comprises a sucker cup mounted on a rotatable threaded stem portion, wherein said vacuum cup communicates through a channel in said stem portion to a vacuum line; and wherein said second gear means has a central, counter-threaded bore adapted to receive said threaded stem portion, wherein said stem portion translates along said first axis as said second gear rotates. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein said second means for adjusting said feeding means further comprises: second connector means, said connector means having one end of said flexible cable attached thereto;   rotatable shaft means engaged by said connector means;   first housing means mounted to said document handline machine and having said rotatable shaft means extending therein;   second housing means connected to said first housing means, said second housing means having said feeding means ultimately connected thereto; and,   means for causing said second housing means to translate with respect to said second axis and said first housing means as said rotatable shaft rotates.   
     
     
       12. Apparatus of claim 11, wherein said second means for adjusting said feeding means further comprises: first gearing means connected to said rotatable shaft means and adapted for rotational motion of at least a portion of said first gearing means being housed in said first housing means;   second gearing means adapted to cooperate with said first gearing means, said second gearing means adapted for rotational motion in a plane essentially perpendicular to a plane wherein said first gearing means rotates;   second rotating shaft means, said second rotating shaft means having said second gearing means affixed to an intermediate portion thereof, said second rotating shaft means also being threaded at each end thereof, each end of said second rotating shaft means being received in a counter-threaded bore in said second housing, so that as said second gearing means rotates, said second housing translates with respect to said third axis.   
     
     
       13. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein said third means for adjusting said feeding means further comprises: third connector means, said connector means having one end of said flexible cable attached thereto;   rotatable shaft means having a first end affixed to said connector means and adapted to rotate with said connector means, said rotatable shaft having a region threaded in at least an intermediate portion and a second end with an enlarged head;   mounting means ultimately connected to said document handling machine, said mounting means being counter-threaded and adapted to receive said threaded region of said rotatable shaft means;   shaft engagement means rotatably mounted to said mounting means, said shaft engagement means contacting said intermediate portion of said shaft means near said enlarged head thereof, said shaft engagement means being ultimately connected to said feeding means;   biasing means connected intermediate said shaft engagement means and said mounting means, whereby as said shaft means rotates said biasing means causes said shaft engagement means to rotate about said axis.   
     
     
       14. Apparatus of claim 9, wherein said housing means includes a spring.